Burned out from her urban lifestyle, ANNA HUNT went to South America in search of healing. She could never have imagined how she would find it I am sitting in a small, filthy restaurant 24 hours into a two-week trek around the north of Peru. The trek marks the start of a three-month sabbatical from … Read more

Having sworn off Italy’s Amalfi Coast for being overcrowded, Emily Wright is won over by the glorious old-world charm of the Excelsior Vittoria and the classical education she gets as she walks the Path of the Gods Towns like Positano look much as they did when writers like John Steinbeck came to hang out in … Read more

The stellar mysteries of the skies have inspired earthbound fascination for millennia. As the rare sight of the transit of Venus approaches this summer, Claire Wrathall picks the best places to stay and gaze at the beauty of the heavens Stars form arcs around the North Star above the Mauna Kea Observatory, Hawaii Captain cook … Read more

USA Utah is the location of the world’s first official Gold Tier International Dark Sky Park, an honour bestowed on the Natural Bridges National Monument in 2007. It is also home to Amangiri, not merely one of the most beautifully designed hotels in the Amanresorts portfolio, but one with a resident astronomy guide and a … Read more

Chile The Atacama Desert in Chile is not just the driest place on Earth, but one of the very best places from which to observe the night sky. And it is a very promising location to watch the Southern Delta Aquarids meteor shower, expected in late July/early August this year. Negligible rainfall tends to correlate … Read more

UK Founded in 1988 to campaign against light pollution, the International Dark-Sky Association has given two areas in the UK an International Dark Sky (IDS) status as a park or reserve. One is Exmoor National Park, which was designated a Silver Tier reserve last year. The other is Galloway Forest Park in south-west Scotland, an … Read more

I am in God’s country to test my fitness. If these mountains are wild enough and remote enough for a seabird to test Darwin’s “survival of the fittest” theory, I can only imagine what they will do to me. There’s a knack to traversing scree slopes. However, judging by the white-knuckle grip I have on … Read more

Wilderness and wedding trees Sporting pink lipstick, pink T-shirt and a pink, skunk-like streak in her hair Nicky McArthur greets us on the steps of Shearwater Lodge with a basket of warm muffins and a cool drink. This is luxury hiking; not a wet tent or outdoor Dunny in sight. The outdoor table is set … Read more

Xicheng, which in Chinese means “West City”, is the central district west of the Forbidden City and the lakes. Beijingers think of this area mostly as a seat of money and learning – both the Financial District and the Haidian University are located here. Western Beijing is best experienced as a series of half-day expeditions: … Read more

Beijing is vast. Although you could spend all your time without ever straying too far from the area around central Tian’an Men Square, you would be missing out on a lot. Way out in the northwest of the city is a cluster of sights that includes the unmissable Summer Palace, with the almost equally intoxicating … Read more

Central Madrid began to take on its present appearance in the mid-19th century with the modernization of Puerta del Sol. This busy intersection was the first to have electric street lighting, trams and, in 1919, Madrid’s first underground station. Meanwhile Calle de Alcalá was becoming the focal point of a new financial district as banks, … Read more

A Day’s Stroll Around Downtown Madrid Morning Start the walk outside the Casa de Correos in Puerta del Sol , a popular meeting point for madrileños. Cross the square in the direction of the bus stops, then turn on to Calle de Alcalá. This busy street is lined with fine examples of 18th and 19th … Read more

Places to Eat and Drink Casa Labra A Madrid institution, it was here that Pablo Iglesias founded the Spanish Socialist party in 1879. Of the tapas on offer try the house speciality, soldaditos de Pavía (fried cod). Calle de Tetuán 12 91 532 1405 Artemisa This well known vegetarian restaurant features a nettle purée among … Read more

Places to Shop Harbour City There are at least 700 shops in this vast agglomeration of malls stretching the length of Canton Road. It comprises the Ocean Terminal, Ocean Centre and Golden Gateway complexes. For serious shoppers only. Canton Rd Harbour City shopping mall Granville Road Great for souvenir T-shirts, all manner of big label … Read more

Places to Eat Oyster and Wine Bar Sublime view and oysters so fresh they flinch when you squeeze a lemon on them. 18/F Sheraton Hotel, 20 Nathan Rd 2369 1111 Felix The food is fantastic, the view better and the bar crammed with the rich and famous. The highlight, for men at least, are the … Read more

This is Baroque Rome in all its Theatrical Glory, a collection of curvaceous architecture and elaborate fountains by the era’s two greatest architects, Bernini and Borromini, and churches filled with paintings by the likes of Caravaggio and Rubens. The street plan was largely overhauled by 16th- to 18th-century popes attempting to improve the traffic flow … Read more

A Morning around Piazza Navona Start in the courtyard of the Sapienza, marvelling at the remarkable façade of Sant’Ivo (see Sant’Ivo). Head around the church’s right side and out the back exit on to Via della Dogana Vecchia. If you need a morning pick-me-up, turn left and then right into Piazza Sant’Eustachio (if the namesake … Read more

Antiques Shops Antica Cappelleria Troncarelli Don’t be fooled by the tiny size of this shop – it is still one of the best haberdashers in Rome, established in 1857. Via della Cuccagna 15 Antiques shop, Via dei Coronari Ai Monasteri Monasteries from all across Italy supply their homemade honey, liqueurs, beauty products, elixirs and other … Read more

Like other urban downtown areas, Washington’s city center is filled with shops, hotels, restaurants, and theaters for every taste. Yet downtown Washington borders Pennsylvania Avenue – often called “America’s main street.” This is the direct route between the White House and the Capitol, and is therefore rich in historic associations. Presidential inauguration parades sweep down … Read more

Places to Eat Proof Wine-lovers are drawn to this downtown hotspot known for its creative cuisine and wine menu. 775 G St, NW 202 737 7663 Jaleo A fine tapas restaurant, Jaleo draws raves for its eggplant flan and sautéed shrimp. The atmosphere is lively, with great music and plenty of sangria. 480 7th St, … Read more